How to Become the Go To Expert Witness in Your Field

June 17, 2008

Hyannis, MA

The Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis

Executive Summary

The “go to” expert witnesses are the ones that attorneys seek out. Attorneys will bring in these experts from out of state and pay a premium for known expertise, quality and attention to detail. Attorneys working on significant cases feel the need to contact the few “go to” experts in the field.

This advanced preconference is taught by analyzing where attendees are at in their expert witness careers. The results of research from “go to” experts and attorneys who use them will be shared and incorporated into the preconference. The preconference will be fast paced and will enable attendees to make critical decisions about what they need to do to become the “go to” expert witness in their field. There will be ample time for questions and answers, and problem solving. Only those experts who want to become a “go to” expert are encouraged to attend.

Distinguished Faculty

Steven Babitsky, Esq., is the President of SEAK, Inc. Attorney Babitsky was a personal injury litigator for twenty years and is the former managing partner of the firm Kistin, Babitsky, Latimer & Beitman. Mr. Babitsky trains hundreds of experts every year through SEAK’s scheduled programs for expert witnesses, invited presentations, and customized expert witness training programs presented to corporations, associations, and governmental agencies. He also serves as a one-on-one consultant to expert witnesses who desire to improve their expert witness practices. Mr. Babitsky is the co-author of the texts Depositions: The Comprehensive Guide for Expert Witnesses; The A–Z Guide to Expert Witnessing; How to Become a Dangerous Expert Witness: Advanced Techniques and Strategies; Writing and Defending Your Expert Report: The Step-by-Step Guide with Models; How to Excel During Cross-Examination: Techniques for Experts That Work; and How to Excel During Depositions: Techniques for Experts That Work.

Tuition

The $495 tuition includes a continental breakfast, breaks, lunch with faculty, a detailed manual which can be retained as a bookshelf reference, and a dynamic learning experience.

Click here for registration information.

Continuing Education Information

Note: If your specialty does not appear below and you desire credits, please contact Karen Babitsky (781-261-9972 or Karen@seak.com). We can often obtain desired credits upon request, but unfortunately, obtaining some types of credits are not feasible. Please register early, as we can only apply for credits after your registration form has been received and it can take time to get the requested approvals back from the accrediting agencies.

Accident Reconstructionists:
The ACTAR Continuing Education Unit has approved this program for 6.0 CEUs.
Accountants:
Earn 8.0 CPE credits in the field of study of Specialized Knowledge and Applications. SEAK, Inc. is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN, 37219-2417. Web site: www.nasba.org For SEAK, Inc.’s complaint and program cancellation policies please call SEAK, Inc. at 508-457-1111. There are no prerequisites for this introductory/intermediate group live program. No advanced preparation is required.
Appraisers:
The American Society of Appraisers will accept 8.0 continuing education hours for this program.
Attorneys:
Credit varies by state. Continuing legal education credits for attorneys will only be applied for if requested in writing when sending in the registration form for the conference. Please contact Karen Babitsky (781-261-9972, Karen@seak.com) with any questions.
Engineers:
SEAK, Inc. has been reviewed and approved as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), 1620 I Street, NW, Suite 615, Washington, DC 20006. SEAK, Inc. will award .7 CEUs to participants who successfully complete this program.
Life Care Planners:
The Commission on Health Care Certification (CHCC) has given the course 7 CEUs.
Nurses:
7.0 Contact Hours. This continuing nursing education activity was approved by the Ohio Nurses Association (OBN-001-91) an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. ONA assigned #13,540. Approval valid through November 6, 2009.
Physicians:
SEAK, Inc. is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. SEAK, Inc. designates this educational activity for a maximum of 7.0 AMA PRA Category 1™ Credits. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Psychologists:
7.0 CE Credits. SEAK, Inc. is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. SEAK, Inc. maintains responsibility for this program and its content. To receive credit each psychologist must attend the entire program, sign in before the program, sign out after the program and return a completed evaluation form. Partial credit is not permitted. There are no prerequisites for this introductory/intermediate group-live program.

Click here for Continuing Education Information.

Scheduleclick here to view the complete schedule

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

7:30-8:00Registration & Continental Breakfast

8:00-9:00Finding and developing your niche in the expert witness marketplace
Faculty will explain the importance of identifying the right niche for yourself. Attendees will be provided with a protocol for researching their niche, determining the proper fit and developing their niche to its fullest potential. Questions and Answers. Learning Objective: Describe a protocol for developing a unique niche.

9:00-9:30Critical analysis of your current image
In this segment faculty will discuss and demonstrate with examples how expert witnesses can critically analyze their current image in the marketplace. Specific steps to improve the experts’ image will be offered. Questions and Answers. Learning Objective: List ways to improve your expert image.

9:30-10:15What "go to" expert witnesses have in common
Faculty and the attendees will analyze what some of the nations “go to” experts have in common and how they got to their position of prominence. Videotaped interviews of the experts will be reviewed. Lessons for the attendees will be drawn from these examples. Questions and Answers. Learning Objective: Identify the traits of a go to expert witness.

10:15-10:30BREAK & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY

10:30-11:00How attorneys determine who are the "go to" expert witnesses
Faculty will provide videotaped interviews and the results of the discussions and interviews with prominent attorneys. Attendees and faculty will analyze their decision making process and extract lessons for the experts who are building a “go to” expert practice. Questions and Answers. Learning Objective: Identify the factors that go into an attorney’s decision making process when selecting experts.

11:00-12:00Critical analysis of expert witness practices
Faculty will discuss and demonstrate with examples how attendees can conduct a critical self-analysis audit of their entire expert witness practice from initial call to case completion and follow up actions. Questions and Answers. Learning Objective: Describe how to conduct a self-analysis audit.

12:00-1:00LUNCH PROVIDED WITH FACULTY

1:00-1:30Defining your unique strengths, expertise and experience
In this segment faculty will demonstrate with examples how expert witnesses can critically evaluate their own strengths and weaknesses. Faculty will assist attendees in making their individual action plans to build their “go to” practices. Questions and Answers. Learning Objective: Describe a protocol to identify your strengths and weaknesses.

1:30-3:00Advanced marketing techniques for building the "go to" practice
Faculty and attendees will engage in a frank discussion and analysis of the utility of: writing articles, speaking, directory listings, fees, advertising, referral sources and 24-7 marketing. Best practices will be explained and the experiences of the “go to experts” and the attorneys who hire them will be utilized to arrive at a consensus. Questions and Answers. Learning Objective: List methods to market an expert witness practice.

3:00-3:15BREAK & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY

3:15-4:15Achieving excellence: going beyond the expectations of retaining counsel
Faculty will present, with the assistance of the attendees the best practices for:
• Initial interviews with counsel
• Case intake
• Correspondence
• Reports (written and oral)
• Depositions
• Trials
Attendees will be presented with numerous ethical suggestions for exceeding the expectations of retaining counsel. Questions and Answers. Learning Objective: Describe techniques to exceed the expectations of retaining counsel.

4:15-4:30Takeaways, Conclusion and Evaluation
Faculty will answer any outstanding questions. A working list of action steps for the attendees will be reviewed. Learning Objective: List action steps to become a go to expert witness.